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Jonathan Grave #12
Hellfire
"A great hero, a really exciting series."
--Joseph Finder
For hostage rescue specialist Jonathan Grave, every mission is a matter of life or death. But he faces his most personal challenge yet when two boys are abducted while being driven to Resurrection House, the school Jonathan founded as a sanctuary for children of incarcerated parents. The boys were entrusted to Jonathan's care. Now they're missing. It's time to fight fire with fire . . .
The boys' mom, Connie Kendall, is awaiting trial on drug smuggling charges. Prosecutors want her to testify against the brutal Cortez Cartel to help bring down their ruthless operations. If she cooperates, she'll get an easier sentence. But with her kids in the grip of the cartel, her lips are sealed.
As Jonathan and his team of skilled operatives close in on the kidnappers, they realize that their enemies aren't just hell-bent on selling drugs. Rival factions have even deadlier agendas. The clock is ticking on an attack that could kill thousands in a single breath. And it's almost zero hour . . .
"If you like Vince Flynn and Brad Thor, you'll love John Gilstrap."
--Gayle Lynds
"When you pick up a Gilstrap novel, one thing is always true--you are going
to be entertained at a high rate of speed."
--Suspense Magazine
--Joseph Finder
For hostage rescue specialist Jonathan Grave, every mission is a matter of life or death. But he faces his most personal challenge yet when two boys are abducted while being driven to Resurrection House, the school Jonathan founded as a sanctuary for children of incarcerated parents. The boys were entrusted to Jonathan's care. Now they're missing. It's time to fight fire with fire . . .
The boys' mom, Connie Kendall, is awaiting trial on drug smuggling charges. Prosecutors want her to testify against the brutal Cortez Cartel to help bring down their ruthless operations. If she cooperates, she'll get an easier sentence. But with her kids in the grip of the cartel, her lips are sealed.
As Jonathan and his team of skilled operatives close in on the kidnappers, they realize that their enemies aren't just hell-bent on selling drugs. Rival factions have even deadlier agendas. The clock is ticking on an attack that could kill thousands in a single breath. And it's almost zero hour . . .
"If you like Vince Flynn and Brad Thor, you'll love John Gilstrap."
--Gayle Lynds
"When you pick up a Gilstrap novel, one thing is always true--you are going
to be entertained at a high rate of speed."
--Suspense Magazine
422 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2020
862 people are currently reading
1665 people want to read
About the author
John Gilstrap
79 books1,209 followersA little bit about my background... I've always been a closet-writer. As a kid, I lived for the opportunity to write short stories. I was the editor of my high school newspaper for a while (the Valor Dictus, Robinson High School, class of 1975), until I quit ("You can't fire me! I quit!") over a lofty First Amendment issue that seemed very important at the time. My goal, in fact, was to become a journalist in the vein of Woodward or Bernstein. Okay, I confess, I wanted to be Woodward; Robert Redford played him in the movie, and chicks really dug Robert Redford.
I graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1979, and armed with a degree in American history, I couldn't find a job. I ended up settling for a position with a little-noticed trade journal serving the construction industry. They called me the managing editor and they paid me food stamp wages. I hated it. About this time, I joined the Burke Volunteer Fire Department in Fairfax County, Virginia, if only to find relief from the boredom of my job. Running about a thousand calls my first year with the department, I was hooked, and the volunteer fire service became an important part of my life for the next 15 years. In the early eighties, hating my job, I went the way of all frustrated liberal arts undergrads—back to graduate school. Earning a Master of Science degree in safety engineering from the University of Southern California, I started down a whole new road. For the next decade and a half, I became an expert (don't you hate that word?) on explosives safety and hazardous waste. Meanwhile, I kept writing. I didn't tell anyone, of course, because, well, you just don't share artistic dreams with fellow engineers. They look at you funny.
My first novel, Nathan's Run, was in fact my fourth novel, and when it sold, it sold big. At a time in my life when things were going well—I was president of my own consulting firm—things were suddenly going very well. Warner Bros. bought the movie rights to Nathan's Run two days after the first book rights were sold, and as of this date, the novel has been translated and published in one form or another in over 20 countries. With Nathan's Run in the can, as it were, I thought I might finally be on to something, but I didn't quit my "day job" until after I sold the book and movie rights to my second novel, At All Costs. I figured that while one-in-a-row might be luck, two-in-a-row was a trend. So, I started writing full-time.
More novels followed, and then a few screenplays. I was living the dream.
But I really didn't like it much. I learned pretty quickly that when you're born a Type-A personality, those extrovert tendencies don't go away just because you're practicing a craft you love. In fact, after just a couple of years of dream fulfillment, I was pretty friggin' bored with the company of my imaginary friends, so I did something that I've never heard a full-time artist do before: I went back to a day job. At first, it was just a matter of reactivating my consulting business, but then, in 2004, I was handed my ideal Big-Boy Job (that's what my wife calls it) working as the director of safety for a trade association in Washington, DC.
And I continue to write. In 2006, Six Minutes to Freedom was published to considerable acclaim. My first (and probably last) foray into book-length non-fiction, SixMin tells the story of Kurt Muse, the only civilian of record ever rescued by the super-secret Delta Force. Thanks to Kurt's cooperation (he is co-author), I gained access to people and places that lifelong civilians like me should never see. The heroic warriors I met during that research turned out to be nothing like their movie stereotypes. These were not only gentlemen, but gentle men, who remained free of the kind of boasting and self-aggrandizement that I was expecting. They were supreme professionals, and very nice guys.
And through them I got the idea for my new series character, Jonathan Grave. He's fo
I graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1979, and armed with a degree in American history, I couldn't find a job. I ended up settling for a position with a little-noticed trade journal serving the construction industry. They called me the managing editor and they paid me food stamp wages. I hated it. About this time, I joined the Burke Volunteer Fire Department in Fairfax County, Virginia, if only to find relief from the boredom of my job. Running about a thousand calls my first year with the department, I was hooked, and the volunteer fire service became an important part of my life for the next 15 years. In the early eighties, hating my job, I went the way of all frustrated liberal arts undergrads—back to graduate school. Earning a Master of Science degree in safety engineering from the University of Southern California, I started down a whole new road. For the next decade and a half, I became an expert (don't you hate that word?) on explosives safety and hazardous waste. Meanwhile, I kept writing. I didn't tell anyone, of course, because, well, you just don't share artistic dreams with fellow engineers. They look at you funny.
My first novel, Nathan's Run, was in fact my fourth novel, and when it sold, it sold big. At a time in my life when things were going well—I was president of my own consulting firm—things were suddenly going very well. Warner Bros. bought the movie rights to Nathan's Run two days after the first book rights were sold, and as of this date, the novel has been translated and published in one form or another in over 20 countries. With Nathan's Run in the can, as it were, I thought I might finally be on to something, but I didn't quit my "day job" until after I sold the book and movie rights to my second novel, At All Costs. I figured that while one-in-a-row might be luck, two-in-a-row was a trend. So, I started writing full-time.
More novels followed, and then a few screenplays. I was living the dream.
But I really didn't like it much. I learned pretty quickly that when you're born a Type-A personality, those extrovert tendencies don't go away just because you're practicing a craft you love. In fact, after just a couple of years of dream fulfillment, I was pretty friggin' bored with the company of my imaginary friends, so I did something that I've never heard a full-time artist do before: I went back to a day job. At first, it was just a matter of reactivating my consulting business, but then, in 2004, I was handed my ideal Big-Boy Job (that's what my wife calls it) working as the director of safety for a trade association in Washington, DC.
And I continue to write. In 2006, Six Minutes to Freedom was published to considerable acclaim. My first (and probably last) foray into book-length non-fiction, SixMin tells the story of Kurt Muse, the only civilian of record ever rescued by the super-secret Delta Force. Thanks to Kurt's cooperation (he is co-author), I gained access to people and places that lifelong civilians like me should never see. The heroic warriors I met during that research turned out to be nothing like their movie stereotypes. These were not only gentlemen, but gentle men, who remained free of the kind of boasting and self-aggrandizement that I was expecting. They were supreme professionals, and very nice guys.
And through them I got the idea for my new series character, Jonathan Grave. He's fo
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
May 27, 2020
An Exciting adventure with Jonathan Grave and his amazing crew!! Jonathan is a Hostage Rescue expert, working with a hand selected team of incredible folks who cover technology, brutality and efficiency to the utmost degree. A pair of young boys, on their way to the orphanage Jonathan started for kids of incarcerated parents, are kidnapped, the two adults accompanying them presumed killed. The boys are missing..time for the Team to do what they do Best...
As they investigate, they realize they are not only dealing with drugs but something far worse..And if they are Not able to stop the actions of several deadly people, there could be a quick death for miles around...A fascinating action thriller that keeps You turning pages quickly with a lump in your throat and fear in your heart..
I received this book from Goodreads in a contest win, and I thank them and the author for their generosity! My thoughts and honest feelings are offered in his review for You. A thoroughly enjoyable read with fantastic characters and action that keeps you on edge!!
As they investigate, they realize they are not only dealing with drugs but something far worse..And if they are Not able to stop the actions of several deadly people, there could be a quick death for miles around...A fascinating action thriller that keeps You turning pages quickly with a lump in your throat and fear in your heart..
I received this book from Goodreads in a contest win, and I thank them and the author for their generosity! My thoughts and honest feelings are offered in his review for You. A thoroughly enjoyable read with fantastic characters and action that keeps you on edge!!
July 13, 2020
Two young boys, Ryder and Geoff Kendall, become pawns in trying to compel their mother Connie to testify against a Mexican cartel or to muzzle her, after her husband is killed in the FBI capture. On their way to Resurrection House, at the behest of the cartel's lawyer, a priest and social worker "disappear" and the boys are kidnapped, causing Father Dom to get Jonathan Graves and his team involved. Wolfie and the FBI cannot help and the team uses their fake credentials to investigate, eventually recruiting an old ally from the DEA to take a vacation and joint the effort. A rogue member of the cartel is smuggling more than drugs into the U.S. for the Chechens, old adversaries of Security Solutions and Graves. Better than the last book, but not as good as most of the others. 3.5 stars rounded up.
February 6, 2022
Another excellent outing for the Security Solutions crew, if not necessarily Gilstrap’s finest work. It was just a little slower than I’ve come to expect.
All of the elements were in place but I was just a little thin I guess. Adding Dawkins didn’t really add much. All of that said, the bad guys were plenty evil and the potential outcome equally so. Here’s to the next one being a Fiver.
All of the elements were in place but I was just a little thin I guess. Adding Dawkins didn’t really add much. All of that said, the bad guys were plenty evil and the potential outcome equally so. Here’s to the next one being a Fiver.
May 3, 2020
Jonathan Graves is back in his umpteenth adventure with his stalwart companions - Boxer, the brawn in this trio of heroes, and Venice, the technology wizard. They're tasked with finding two boys who were kidnapped while en route to Resurrection House, the sanctuary Jonathan built and funds for children of incarcerated criminals. Who took the boys isn't clear but one fact is - their father may be dead but someone is pressuring their equally culpable mother, who's under heavy guard in a federal prison, to keep her mouth shut about the cartel boss who formerly employed her or risk her sons ' lives. And just to ratchet up the tension, there's a bigger threat to national security than illicit drugs that makes this mission more important than the lives of the kids
I've enjoyed this series, but it seems to be running out of steam, and the author's somewhat right wing politics are getting in the way of the narrative.
Try Gilstrap's backlist for a more interesting read.
I've enjoyed this series, but it seems to be running out of steam, and the author's somewhat right wing politics are getting in the way of the narrative.
Try Gilstrap's backlist for a more interesting read.
December 21, 2020
Usual fare from Gilstrap. In this one Digger, Boxers, and Gunslinger are looking for two brothers that were scheduled to be brought to their orphanage. They've been kidnapped, but nobody in authority is admitting to knowing anything about it. Throw in another couple of brothers trying to make a nerve gas and you've got the makings of a bang up thriller.
After 12 novels in the series, the banter between Digger and Boxers is getting old. And the bossiness of Venice is pretty well worn, too. But in the end they all work well together toward the common goal.
After 12 novels in the series, the banter between Digger and Boxers is getting old. And the bossiness of Venice is pretty well worn, too. But in the end they all work well together toward the common goal.
May 10, 2020
Jonathan Grave, the main character in John Gilstrap's Hellfire (Pinnacle 2020), Book 12 in the Jonathan Grave Thriller series, is one of those tough guys you hire to do the impossible. Between him and his high tech highly physical team, there isn't much that can stop them. At least not forever. In this case their job was to find two brothers--Ryder and Geoff Kendall, ages thirteen and eleven, who were kidnapped on their way to foster care after their father was killed and their mother arrested. They then became poorly-treated pawns in a case against the cartel as these vicious bad guys to persuade their mother to do what would serve their purposes. It might have worked except that during the kidnapping, they killed a priest who was a personal friend of a personal friend of Jonathan Grave, and the boys were on their way to a home set up by Grave's to care for boys like them. When the priest running the home called Jonathan for help, he of course agreed. What he didn't expect was that finding the boys would involve stopping a chemical attack against the US.
This is a great series and this book especially good. It's an intricate plot with a lot of moving parts but Gilstrap is an expert at keeping everything building until it is ready to explode. Highly recommended if you like thrillers where good vs. evil is at stake.
This is a great series and this book especially good. It's an intricate plot with a lot of moving parts but Gilstrap is an expert at keeping everything building until it is ready to explode. Highly recommended if you like thrillers where good vs. evil is at stake.
July 15, 2020
4.5 stars
Goodness! What to say!
As the quotes on the cover said:
"rocket-paced suspense" jeffrey deaver
"gilstrap will leave you breathless" harlan coben
I'm a big fan of this series. I always look forward to the next Jonathan Grave adventure. The wait for the library hold was long but i saw it was available in audio & decided to get it. This was my first time doing one of Gilstrap's books on audio format. I do think this added to the heightened sense of tension. (b/c i wasn't able to read quickly & scan ahead)
Fast paced, action packed. Some humor.
And because it involves children, the suspense was that much more intense. (and yes, those who know me, i did gasp & call out loud several times while listening)
Unfortunately, it did reference events from a previous book which i didn't remember. (i'll have to go back & reread) But i did like that they were suffering some lingering effects of those events. (more realistic that way)
Another good addition to the series though i do wonder about the time their luck doesn't hold out. i hope that doesn't happen for a very long time.
I look forward to the next book.
Goodness! What to say!
As the quotes on the cover said:
"rocket-paced suspense" jeffrey deaver
"gilstrap will leave you breathless" harlan coben
I'm a big fan of this series. I always look forward to the next Jonathan Grave adventure. The wait for the library hold was long but i saw it was available in audio & decided to get it. This was my first time doing one of Gilstrap's books on audio format. I do think this added to the heightened sense of tension. (b/c i wasn't able to read quickly & scan ahead)
Fast paced, action packed. Some humor.
And because it involves children, the suspense was that much more intense. (and yes, those who know me, i did gasp & call out loud several times while listening)
Unfortunately, it did reference events from a previous book which i didn't remember. (i'll have to go back & reread) But i did like that they were suffering some lingering effects of those events. (more realistic that way)
Another good addition to the series though i do wonder about the time their luck doesn't hold out. i hope that doesn't happen for a very long time.
I look forward to the next book.
September 16, 2020
Hostage rescue is Jonathan Graves' specialty but this time they got more than just a simple rescue mission.
Two boys are kidnapped on their way to Resurrection House, Jonathan Graves' school that was founded for children of incarcerated parents.
The boys' mother is in jail awaiting drug charges. The legal side would like her testimony against the drug cartels. However, as the clock ticks down Jonathan and his team find out there is much more in play. The danger is much higher than just a drug cartel.
Jonathan is the only one who can do something in time before a big attack is launched on innocent people. Action and some interesting observations about our legal/justice system.
Always gives you some food for thought while lots of action to keep the story moving along!
Two boys are kidnapped on their way to Resurrection House, Jonathan Graves' school that was founded for children of incarcerated parents.
The boys' mother is in jail awaiting drug charges. The legal side would like her testimony against the drug cartels. However, as the clock ticks down Jonathan and his team find out there is much more in play. The danger is much higher than just a drug cartel.
Jonathan is the only one who can do something in time before a big attack is launched on innocent people. Action and some interesting observations about our legal/justice system.
Always gives you some food for thought while lots of action to keep the story moving along!
September 30, 2021
Another thrilling Jonathan Grave and Boxers novel. When 2 kids who were headed to Grave's Resurrection House are snatched and their minders killed Jonathan and company are on the job.
The story builds from a kidnapping to plot involving narco traffickers and terrorists.
If you're looking for a shoot em up thriller with great characters, look no further than Gilstrap's Digger Grave series
The story builds from a kidnapping to plot involving narco traffickers and terrorists.
If you're looking for a shoot em up thriller with great characters, look no further than Gilstrap's Digger Grave series
June 1, 2020
Hellfire is the latest Jonathan Graves thriller from John Gilstrap.
"Two boys are kidnapped on the way to Resurrection House and the drivers are killed. It looks like they're being held as leverage. Jonathan and his team gear up to find and rescue the boys. What starts out as a mission against cartel violence turns into something much worse..."
Just when you think it's a standard rescue, Gilstrap mixes some chemical weapons in with the drug mules. And things get even crazier. Boxer has a moment where he's a heartbeat away from losing it. There's a new temporary member of the team. Venice is still the best hacker there is. Boxer gets to use his high tech drones. And Digger has to decide on what's the greater good. Packed with the action we love from Gilstrap. He also makes us question the ethics of what it means to do the right thing. And the many shades of gray. Another great action book from Gilstrap. Great to take to the beach this summer
"Two boys are kidnapped on the way to Resurrection House and the drivers are killed. It looks like they're being held as leverage. Jonathan and his team gear up to find and rescue the boys. What starts out as a mission against cartel violence turns into something much worse..."
Just when you think it's a standard rescue, Gilstrap mixes some chemical weapons in with the drug mules. And things get even crazier. Boxer has a moment where he's a heartbeat away from losing it. There's a new temporary member of the team. Venice is still the best hacker there is. Boxer gets to use his high tech drones. And Digger has to decide on what's the greater good. Packed with the action we love from Gilstrap. He also makes us question the ethics of what it means to do the right thing. And the many shades of gray. Another great action book from Gilstrap. Great to take to the beach this summer
June 30, 2020
I was halfway through this book before I knew it, and I didn’t want it to end. This is the twelfth book in the Jonathan Grave series and it is a corker. I don’t like spoilers, so I am not going to say much about the plot, but trust me, it is fast, furious, and utterly absorbing. This book is impossible to put down, so don’t start it when you don’t have a block of time to devote to it.
Jonathan is assisted by his usual crew; Boxer, Gail, and Venice. Other recurring characters also make their appearances, so it you are familiar with this series you will recognize them. If, however, this is your first Grave thriller, never fear, it reads as a standalone, and you will miss nothing.
I love this series by Gilstrap. The characters are interesting, the plots compelling, and the pacing is relentless. I couldn’t pick a favorite if you bribed me with really good chocolate. (I would take the bribe, though.) You cannot go wrong with a Jonathan Grave thriller, whichever one you choose. “Hellfire,” though, is just terrific, and I highly recommend it.
Jonathan is assisted by his usual crew; Boxer, Gail, and Venice. Other recurring characters also make their appearances, so it you are familiar with this series you will recognize them. If, however, this is your first Grave thriller, never fear, it reads as a standalone, and you will miss nothing.
I love this series by Gilstrap. The characters are interesting, the plots compelling, and the pacing is relentless. I couldn’t pick a favorite if you bribed me with really good chocolate. (I would take the bribe, though.) You cannot go wrong with a Jonathan Grave thriller, whichever one you choose. “Hellfire,” though, is just terrific, and I highly recommend it.
November 10, 2020
The action sequences are still good and I do love Boxers but the political bent of Gilstrap comes shining through and it’s hard to swallow. Someone should tell Mr Gilstrap that the only acts of terrorism on American soil since 9/11 have been by white supremacists. Mexicans haven’t had nearly the impact as Purdue Pharmaceutical on narcotic addiction in the US. This will be my last Gilstrap book as I just can’t cope with the right wing propaganda.
April 10, 2020
Love love love this crew in this series! This book was phenomenal and so much fun to read. Of course, I'm a bit of a junkie in genre and cannot get enough of this particular crew of people. I'm a big Boxers fan. I think he has the right idea when it comes to those who wish to hurt children. But then I want skills like all of them so Ven, Dig and even the legal chops of Gail. A total home run.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 20, 2020
I must confess that I have missed all the previous books in this series, my bad. Now after reading this one I have to make it up and go back to the beginning and read them all. It's a great cast of characters and I hate reading out of order but, stuff happens. I must thank #Netgalley #Pinnacle and #KensingtonBooks for giving me this great adventure. I really enjoyed reading #Hellfire by John Gilstrap and I can only recommend that you also try him.
May 11, 2020
Where have I been that I have never read this author before? Shame on me. Thankfully I received this book as a free Goodreads Kindle give away. Scary when authors write about crime that it either will or has happened. I hope there is an undercover team out there that is ready to save us all. Now I have to read more of the series.
July 7, 2020
Non-stop Action!
This is a first rate thriller! A Jonathan Grave Thriller never disappoints! John Gilstrap is at the top of his game.
This is a first rate thriller! A Jonathan Grave Thriller never disappoints! John Gilstrap is at the top of his game.
July 1, 2020
4.5 stars
Digger, Scorpion or Jonathan - whatever name we want to call him and Big Guy are two of my favorite characters in this genre. I am always excited when a new book comes out and it is always an auto buy. I mean, I bought the Audible version and the iBooks version the day they came out - and with a TBR collection that is nearing 1000, that is saying something.
And...I'm thrilled to report that I was not disappointed. This book was not his best book, but it was still exciting and satisfying. I actually hesitated between 4 and 5 stars and decided to split the middle because the ending seemed a little rushed to me. There were details that were actually very crucial to the clean up that I felt were just glossed over - actually, a couple of the ending things seemed to not go into the detail that I have come to expect. But, with that being said - it was great to see Digger and Big Guy back - and I can't forget Gunslinger. She was not as whiny this time, so I feel like we are making progress on that front. Mother Hen was wonderful as usual and it made me sad to remember that Derick wasn't part of the group anymore. My vote is till out on Thor, but there is time to wait and see...
The one thing that I want to make a note of....there seemed to be somewhat of a feeling of, hmmm, I'm not even sure of the phrase, but maybe transition? This seemed like a transition book - nope - still not what I want to say, but not sure how to put into words what I felt. Father Dom seemed to be having a crisis moment, Wolverine was a bit of a disappointment to me and felt less like the ally that we have come to rely on her as and we saw the first really tense moment between Dig and Big Guy. All of this was resolved, but it showed what might just be a crack in the foundation that is usually so solid. But, what do I know?
I enjoyed this entry to the Security Solutions universe and am just sad that it didn't even last a day and now I have to wait another year for the next installment. I will say that the excerpt from Gilstrap new series was definitely "spine chilling" and did a VERY good job of grabbing my interest. I'll be looking for that book as well. All in all, today was a good day :)
Digger, Scorpion or Jonathan - whatever name we want to call him and Big Guy are two of my favorite characters in this genre. I am always excited when a new book comes out and it is always an auto buy. I mean, I bought the Audible version and the iBooks version the day they came out - and with a TBR collection that is nearing 1000, that is saying something.
And...I'm thrilled to report that I was not disappointed. This book was not his best book, but it was still exciting and satisfying. I actually hesitated between 4 and 5 stars and decided to split the middle because the ending seemed a little rushed to me. There were details that were actually very crucial to the clean up that I felt were just glossed over - actually, a couple of the ending things seemed to not go into the detail that I have come to expect. But, with that being said - it was great to see Digger and Big Guy back - and I can't forget Gunslinger. She was not as whiny this time, so I feel like we are making progress on that front. Mother Hen was wonderful as usual and it made me sad to remember that Derick wasn't part of the group anymore. My vote is till out on Thor, but there is time to wait and see...
The one thing that I want to make a note of....there seemed to be somewhat of a feeling of, hmmm, I'm not even sure of the phrase, but maybe transition? This seemed like a transition book - nope - still not what I want to say, but not sure how to put into words what I felt. Father Dom seemed to be having a crisis moment, Wolverine was a bit of a disappointment to me and felt less like the ally that we have come to rely on her as and we saw the first really tense moment between Dig and Big Guy. All of this was resolved, but it showed what might just be a crack in the foundation that is usually so solid. But, what do I know?
I enjoyed this entry to the Security Solutions universe and am just sad that it didn't even last a day and now I have to wait another year for the next installment. I will say that the excerpt from Gilstrap new series was definitely "spine chilling" and did a VERY good job of grabbing my interest. I'll be looking for that book as well. All in all, today was a good day :)
April 12, 2022
Audiobook Review - Whenever I want to take my mind off serious life stuff, I usually listen to one of John Gilstrap's audiobooks from his Jonathan Grave series. Hellfire is book 12 in the series and probably one of my least favorite. It wasn't a bad listen, but it wasn't Gilstrap's best either. He's produced much better stories then this one but I still enjoyed the premise of the story plot. I prefer listening/reading a series in order but each one of the Jonathan Grave books can be listened to as a stand alone. When two boys are kidnapped while being transported to the school run by Jonathan Grave, he and his team of Special Operators are fast on the recovery. The boys parents worked for a drug cartel, their father has been murdered and their mother is being held in prison by the Federal authorities. The cartel kidnaps the boys to keep the mother from taking to the authorities but there's something else going on other than illegal drugs. The more Jonathan and his team investigate the kidnapping, the worse things get. What starts out as drug smuggling quickly turns into something much more sinister. Now it’s not just the boys lives at stake but thousands of lives because of a biochemical weapon being involved. @basilsands1 does a great job narrating but I quickly grew tired and annoyed by the younger boy's whinnying and crying. What-a-pain-in-the-ass this kid was! If Gilstrap was aiming for the reader/listener to not like this kid, he succeeded abundantly! I wouldn't have lost any sleep if Jonathan Grave and his team wouldn't have rescued him and his older brother. They had bigger fish to fry in finding the biochemical weapon in my opinion. Again, not a bad story, but not one of Gilstrap's best either.
#jonathangraveseries
#jonathangraveseries
August 13, 2020
Jonathan Grave is a private practice hostage rescue specialist with a team of very specialized and highly trained men and women with various specialties. He is hired to rescue two young boys who have apparently been kidnapped from what was thought to be a secret and secure location by a group of murderers/terrorists.
The parents are criminals who Jonathan learns are connected to a Mexican drug cartel. The story is fast paced and action filled but be warned, there are several parts of brutal and vividly described torture by two men who enjoy their work! Eventually the team learns that the danger is much larger than first thought and a different group is planning an event that will shake the nation and potentially many will die.
This is part of a large series featuring Jonathan Grave and I may look for others in the series. The only negative for me was the portions describing torture. Not for the faint-hearted!
The parents are criminals who Jonathan learns are connected to a Mexican drug cartel. The story is fast paced and action filled but be warned, there are several parts of brutal and vividly described torture by two men who enjoy their work! Eventually the team learns that the danger is much larger than first thought and a different group is planning an event that will shake the nation and potentially many will die.
This is part of a large series featuring Jonathan Grave and I may look for others in the series. The only negative for me was the portions describing torture. Not for the faint-hearted!
September 19, 2020
First let me say that Gilstrap's series about Jonathan "Digger" Grave has been one of my "go-to" collections for great reads. Consequently, it pains me to give this book only three stars.
I hesitate to say the characters here seem tired. From "Digger" to "venNIChee" (how fucking pretentious) to "Wolverine" (couldn't come up with something not borrowed from X-Men?) - they all seem to be going through the motions with no growth.
The story feels like it was borrowed form one of many TV shows, and the violence seems gratuitous - after all what would the Big Guy do if he didn't have someone to intimidate or shoot? Also, apparently Digger is not just wealthy but Warren Buffett level rich- which again seems necessary to support the incredible disbelief one has to exercise to swallow all this.
Thus I will be skeptical that Gilstrap will be able to continue the series without some major rethinking of the cast of characters and their resources and abilities.
I hesitate to say the characters here seem tired. From "Digger" to "venNIChee" (how fucking pretentious) to "Wolverine" (couldn't come up with something not borrowed from X-Men?) - they all seem to be going through the motions with no growth.
The story feels like it was borrowed form one of many TV shows, and the violence seems gratuitous - after all what would the Big Guy do if he didn't have someone to intimidate or shoot? Also, apparently Digger is not just wealthy but Warren Buffett level rich- which again seems necessary to support the incredible disbelief one has to exercise to swallow all this.
Thus I will be skeptical that Gilstrap will be able to continue the series without some major rethinking of the cast of characters and their resources and abilities.
July 22, 2020
I've read each of John Gilstrap's entries in this series. Unfortunately, this one is the weakest of the lot. I can understand the need to not repeat a lot of the backstory of these characters, this being the 12th installment and all, but the book was also thin on the atmospheric elements that have made the earlier stories much more gripping. I'll give you another shot, John, but please bring back more of the depth around weaponry, field operations and technology that have added so much richness in the past. I know you can do it. And, don't spare the general and specific bad-assery of the protagonists. Boxers was positively meek this time out!
July 16, 2020
Eh..
Usually I really enjoy this series but this book was disappointing. It felt kind of thrown together without much in the way of any depth to the story. I find the detailed description of the guns tedious and unnecessary. Clearly Gilstrap loves his weapons. Previous books in the series are much better and definitely deliver on action and entertainment, despite the author's obvious disdain for all things relating to government.
Usually I really enjoy this series but this book was disappointing. It felt kind of thrown together without much in the way of any depth to the story. I find the detailed description of the guns tedious and unnecessary. Clearly Gilstrap loves his weapons. Previous books in the series are much better and definitely deliver on action and entertainment, despite the author's obvious disdain for all things relating to government.
October 27, 2022
Having just finished Book 12 of the Jonathan Grave series I'm sad to say I'll be saying goodbye to Digger. I've had some fun moments throughout these books or I would have stopped reading long ago but for me this series has run its course and probably should have ended several installments ago.
Hellfire's an OK read, and it's the same plotline as usual - some kids are kidnapped and it's up to Scorpion and Boxers to get them back by killing a bunch of bad guys. This event leads into the inevitable terrorist threat against the U.S that has been done to death in this series where the good guys are able to magically divine the target with next to no information and swoop in to the save the day. There's a two page epilogue to wrap things up and that's that.
The above really highlights the problems with this series because the same basic plot line is recycled over and over, with slight modifications to the locations and ethnicities of the villians. These are entertaining books but with them all being stand alones there's no connections and really no important events to link them. Knowing what I know now, I could have read Book 2 and then jumped here to Book 12 and I'd have missed almost nothing - that's a problem. I know there will be plenty of readers who prefer that style, but not me. It's the same characters doing the same things ad nauseum. I'm tired of reading about the St. Matthews electronic dead spot, Venice's annoying computer reveals, and the extensive gun descriptions that are repeated every book. The few times things look to be getting more interesting with the introduction of new characters they end up being killed off or otherwise removed within a book or two.
I hate being this negative because there really is some good fun to be had with this series but I can't keep justifying spending money on the same story over and over. Time to try something different.
Hellfire's an OK read, and it's the same plotline as usual - some kids are kidnapped and it's up to Scorpion and Boxers to get them back by killing a bunch of bad guys. This event leads into the inevitable terrorist threat against the U.S that has been done to death in this series where the good guys are able to magically divine the target with next to no information and swoop in to the save the day. There's a two page epilogue to wrap things up and that's that.
The above really highlights the problems with this series because the same basic plot line is recycled over and over, with slight modifications to the locations and ethnicities of the villians. These are entertaining books but with them all being stand alones there's no connections and really no important events to link them. Knowing what I know now, I could have read Book 2 and then jumped here to Book 12 and I'd have missed almost nothing - that's a problem. I know there will be plenty of readers who prefer that style, but not me. It's the same characters doing the same things ad nauseum. I'm tired of reading about the St. Matthews electronic dead spot, Venice's annoying computer reveals, and the extensive gun descriptions that are repeated every book. The few times things look to be getting more interesting with the introduction of new characters they end up being killed off or otherwise removed within a book or two.
I hate being this negative because there really is some good fun to be had with this series but I can't keep justifying spending money on the same story over and over. Time to try something different.
July 9, 2020
A Good Solid Read, Though Not As Good As Those I’ve Read Before.
My Rating 3.5 Out of 5 Stars, however it gets 4 Stars because neither Goodreads, nor Amazon, provide a logical, nor rational rating system. Let me explain prior to finishing this review.
Should not a 3 Star Rating out of a possible 5 Stars indicate a "middle of the pack" sort of book, not a "critical review"? Thus my 3.5 rating indicates a read that is a bit better than most, but not so good as to "run behind the leader" (4 Stars), or become "the Leader of the Pack" (5 Stars).
Based on the above, I believe you can figure out what "2-Star, and 1-Star" ratings would signify without my going in to detail, but think about it "creatively". Now about the book and "WHY" I gave it 3.5 Stars.
I have read all of the preceding books in this series, and I’ve scored them all at 5 Stars as they’ve held me in thrall from the first page to the last. “Hellfire” did not deliver that same experience to me. I kept “picking it up, reading a bit, and then putting it down” over, and over again. Something I’ve never done with any book in this series before. This book just did not “grab hold” as the eleven previous books did. I do not know why.
Still, with that said, I can say the book is not a total loss. It is enjoyable, and it is far better than a great many other books offered as “thrillers”. The book is solid. It is well edited with no errors, (that I found), and therefore I am giving it my personal rating of 3.5 Stars as it is better than average fare. It just lacks “spark”.
Do I recommend it? That becomes a more difficult question, but I’m going to say “yes”, with a “qualifier”. That qualifier is, that if you are a fan of the series, you need to read it to “keep current”, and it is good “filler reading” as you wait for another release.
That you Mr. Gilstrap, however I am hopeful that the next “Jonathan Grave” thriller will be more in line with the previous books of the series.
My Rating 3.5 Out of 5 Stars, however it gets 4 Stars because neither Goodreads, nor Amazon, provide a logical, nor rational rating system. Let me explain prior to finishing this review.
Should not a 3 Star Rating out of a possible 5 Stars indicate a "middle of the pack" sort of book, not a "critical review"? Thus my 3.5 rating indicates a read that is a bit better than most, but not so good as to "run behind the leader" (4 Stars), or become "the Leader of the Pack" (5 Stars).
Based on the above, I believe you can figure out what "2-Star, and 1-Star" ratings would signify without my going in to detail, but think about it "creatively". Now about the book and "WHY" I gave it 3.5 Stars.
I have read all of the preceding books in this series, and I’ve scored them all at 5 Stars as they’ve held me in thrall from the first page to the last. “Hellfire” did not deliver that same experience to me. I kept “picking it up, reading a bit, and then putting it down” over, and over again. Something I’ve never done with any book in this series before. This book just did not “grab hold” as the eleven previous books did. I do not know why.
Still, with that said, I can say the book is not a total loss. It is enjoyable, and it is far better than a great many other books offered as “thrillers”. The book is solid. It is well edited with no errors, (that I found), and therefore I am giving it my personal rating of 3.5 Stars as it is better than average fare. It just lacks “spark”.
Do I recommend it? That becomes a more difficult question, but I’m going to say “yes”, with a “qualifier”. That qualifier is, that if you are a fan of the series, you need to read it to “keep current”, and it is good “filler reading” as you wait for another release.
That you Mr. Gilstrap, however I am hopeful that the next “Jonathan Grave” thriller will be more in line with the previous books of the series.
August 4, 2023
I eagerly started this book thinking it would start where TOTAL MAYHEM ended.. and other than a sentence saying that the mansion had been under attack a few months back.. nothing. Venice had maybe a paragraph to deal with the death of Derek from that book but mostly nothing I really expected more about the town , the sheriff , the workers and the kids .. that was something major and crickets.
THis plot was about 2 brothers on their way to the orphanage and the priest and social services driver are shot in front of the kids and they are taken. Their dad had just been killed by the FBI and their mom arrested... but I would have thought children would have easily figured out that the kidnappers dressed as cops were not really cops....
Then there are the drug cartels that were involved ... there are a lot of them to try and keep separate and then the nerve gas and the idea that there was a credible threat but nothing could be done and I do not like or understand the district attorney lady.
There also seems to be endless money in Jonathon 's portfolio.. to just buy planes ,, drones, equipment.. I would think running an orphanage has got to run millions every year so he should not have endless amounts of money.
I did not like Boxer losing it with the terrorist/sadist/ killer. There just seems to be no a real explanation before , during or after.
THis plot was about 2 brothers on their way to the orphanage and the priest and social services driver are shot in front of the kids and they are taken. Their dad had just been killed by the FBI and their mom arrested... but I would have thought children would have easily figured out that the kidnappers dressed as cops were not really cops....
Then there are the drug cartels that were involved ... there are a lot of them to try and keep separate and then the nerve gas and the idea that there was a credible threat but nothing could be done and I do not like or understand the district attorney lady.
There also seems to be endless money in Jonathon 's portfolio.. to just buy planes ,, drones, equipment.. I would think running an orphanage has got to run millions every year so he should not have endless amounts of money.
I did not like Boxer losing it with the terrorist/sadist/ killer. There just seems to be no a real explanation before , during or after.
June 26, 2020
This book is the 12th in the Jonathan Graves series by John Gilstrap. There are two ways for me to look at this review, the first is as a first time reader of the series, and the second is as a reader of the full series.
Therefore as a first time reader I would say that this book is firmly in the action/adventure category and serves up a story about a team of hostage rescuers that are tasked with returning abductees. The story follows a natural course of the team having to figure out how and why the abductees have been taken, this leads into a secondary mission for the team.
From the point of view of having read the series to date, the above is true, and with the addition of some additional character building to the main characters. There are some points that may be a bit confusing to new readers as they relate to previous elements of the series, but this shouldn't cause too much of an issue as they are briefly explained.
Overall the story is very good, and the research by the author about the details can be seen in the descriptiveness of the book. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys this genre.
This review is based on a free digital ARC copy provided by NetGalley. My views are provided based on the book content only.
Therefore as a first time reader I would say that this book is firmly in the action/adventure category and serves up a story about a team of hostage rescuers that are tasked with returning abductees. The story follows a natural course of the team having to figure out how and why the abductees have been taken, this leads into a secondary mission for the team.
From the point of view of having read the series to date, the above is true, and with the addition of some additional character building to the main characters. There are some points that may be a bit confusing to new readers as they relate to previous elements of the series, but this shouldn't cause too much of an issue as they are briefly explained.
Overall the story is very good, and the research by the author about the details can be seen in the descriptiveness of the book. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys this genre.
This review is based on a free digital ARC copy provided by NetGalley. My views are provided based on the book content only.
June 29, 2020
Where have I been? This is the first book I’ve read in this series. I’m coming late to the party…but…what a deliciously written thriller.
Jonathan Graves, with his handpicked group of operatives, is trying to locate brothers who were spirited away from a safe house by persons unknown. The boys’ father was tortured and murdered, their mother is under arrest. The children were taken into protective custody, then disappeared. With their mother not knowing who has the boys, she will not say a word until she knows they’re safe.
While searching for the boys, Graves and his crew uncover illicit drug running, and the possibility of chemical weapons that may make the drug running seem like child’s play.
Gruesome descriptions of how the bad guys manipulate their underlings takes the reader on a wild ride to the other side of the law! What an ominous tale!
Can the boys be rescued before they’re hurt? Are the chemical weapons real or just a tease to get people to cede their operations? Will the boy’s mother work with the authorities if her children are safe?
I’ve found a new author and what I think is a fabulous series. I’m going to head back to the first book and get caught up! Who’s with me??
Jonathan Graves, with his handpicked group of operatives, is trying to locate brothers who were spirited away from a safe house by persons unknown. The boys’ father was tortured and murdered, their mother is under arrest. The children were taken into protective custody, then disappeared. With their mother not knowing who has the boys, she will not say a word until she knows they’re safe.
While searching for the boys, Graves and his crew uncover illicit drug running, and the possibility of chemical weapons that may make the drug running seem like child’s play.
Gruesome descriptions of how the bad guys manipulate their underlings takes the reader on a wild ride to the other side of the law! What an ominous tale!
Can the boys be rescued before they’re hurt? Are the chemical weapons real or just a tease to get people to cede their operations? Will the boy’s mother work with the authorities if her children are safe?
I’ve found a new author and what I think is a fabulous series. I’m going to head back to the first book and get caught up! Who’s with me??
October 26, 2020
Hellfire placed constraints on Jonathan Grave and his team, and as such, there was a lot of down time ruminations that read a bit slowly.
The multiple threads of Hellfire, child kidnapping, drug cartels, terrorism, are all closely woven to reveal a hellish tapestry. The constraints of it are that none of the information gleaned by means of "Mother Hen" is usable in a legal way and downright scary for the average citizen.
The multiple threads of Hellfire, child kidnapping, drug cartels, terrorism, are all closely woven to reveal a hellish tapestry. The constraints of it are that none of the information gleaned by means of "Mother Hen" is usable in a legal way and downright scary for the average citizen.
"It occurred to Venice as she was scrolling through image after image how little anonymity was left for Americans these days. Did people really understand that their likeness was recorded dozens of times a day or how easy it was to tap into their webcams and smart phones? Everything everybody did these days left an electronic footprint, and the only thing that kept every move from being observed by strangers was the will of strangers not to take a peek."I have to knock down my stars from 4 to 3.5 because the ending of Hellfire left me feeling it is somehow incomplete, and particularly because the grief of Father Dom was just . . . left. As his closest friend, there should have been some consolation from Jonathan. That has me worried for the future of Father Dom in anticipated Jonathan Graves stories.
May 10, 2020
When it comes to hostage rescue, one name stands out above the rest: former Delta soldier
Jonathan Grave. He leads a team of elite rescue specialists that are second to none. He even founded a school, Resurrection House, for the kids of parents that run afoul of the legal system. Grave and his team now face their greatest challenge yet: finding the two sons of a mother arrested for her involvement in a Mexican drug cartel. They were taken while on their way to Resurrection House, their two escorts brutally killed. Time is running out to discover what the cartel is planning and rescue the kids.
Hellfire by Jonathan Gilstrap is a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride from the first page to the last. This happens to be the first one of the series I have read and am already making plans to start back with the first one. If this book is any indication, Gilstrap has created a cast of characters that will keep readers coming back as long as this series continues. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and give it 4/5 stars.
* A copy of the ebook is the only compensation received in exchange for this review. *
Jonathan Grave. He leads a team of elite rescue specialists that are second to none. He even founded a school, Resurrection House, for the kids of parents that run afoul of the legal system. Grave and his team now face their greatest challenge yet: finding the two sons of a mother arrested for her involvement in a Mexican drug cartel. They were taken while on their way to Resurrection House, their two escorts brutally killed. Time is running out to discover what the cartel is planning and rescue the kids.
Hellfire by Jonathan Gilstrap is a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride from the first page to the last. This happens to be the first one of the series I have read and am already making plans to start back with the first one. If this book is any indication, Gilstrap has created a cast of characters that will keep readers coming back as long as this series continues. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and give it 4/5 stars.
* A copy of the ebook is the only compensation received in exchange for this review. *
July 8, 2020
Before you settle in to read Hellfire it grabs you. Your seatbelt in the new Batmobile has barely finished its click when your roller coaster jerks into top speed. Two young boys on their way to the safety of RezHouse are kidnapped by men who personify the meaning of evil. And you’re off. Then Hellfire explodes into international smuggling posing a threat more deadly than any the country has ever seen.
Some delicacies in life are to be savored, leisurely; as a perfectly prepared steak, or a glass of rare scotch. Not Hellfire. Once even a suspicion of foul play presents itself the team vaults into action. You almost feel sorry for the bad guys as Boxers begins to plot how to make them pay. Almost.
What a pleasure to again become a fly on Digger’s shoulder watching the story unfold. You actually hold your breath as you flip the next page continuing the chase. Are you waiting to hear Venice’s voice in your ear? Yes.
All too quickly you reach the end and must now endure the wait for Gilstrap to finish another.
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